Body alignment and correction device

ABSTRACT

The body alignment and correction device disclosed herein includes a belt for wearing about the waist of a user. The device further includes removable and repositionable foam blocks to displace portions of the belt away from the user&#39;s body. A method of stimulating abdominal or back muscles of a user of the device by selectively placing foam blocks to space a portion of the belt away from a user&#39;s body is also disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to exercise equipment and in particularto a body alignment and correction device.

Background Art

Exercise equipment, particularly when used in an athletic club, hasbecome very popular. Unfortunately, to put it simply, most people whoare working out are doing it wrong. They hold their bodies and limbs inincorrect positions, resulting in repetitive motion injuries, imbalanceddevelopment of their muscle groups, and other long-term problems thatare easily avoided with the correct posture and limb positioning. A bodyalignment and correction device, which secures the user's body and limbsin the correct positions when working out, would resolve this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a body alignment andcorrection device. The device provides a rectangular platform, with afront post and a rear post which unfold and telescope into position.Carabiner clips are provided along the sides of the platform. Variouselastic and other workout attachments may be clipped to the carabinerclips, and to the upper ends of the front post and rear post, providingresistance for the user during a workout. An adjustable, removable clawattachment on the rear post secures the user's shoulders and upper bodyin the correct alignment during the workout. Four retractable casterwheels at the corners of the platform enable the user to easily move thedevice around the workout area as desired.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theforegoing general description and the following detailed description areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitutea part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of theinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention,

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment inthe unfolded position, displaying the platform 10, the front post 11,the rear post 12, the claw attachment 12A, the carabiner clips 13, thebarbell table 14, and the workout attachments 15;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the platform component of the firstexemplary embodiment in the folded position, displaying the platform 10,and the caster wheels 10A;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of a portion of the belt component of the firstexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the belt component of the first exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 5 is a front view of belt component of the first exemplaryembodiment in a reverse bent position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the belt of theinvention, without blocks.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the belt of theinvention with a pair of blocks positioned on the rear or inside surfaceof the belt.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the belt with blocks positioned on the abdomenof the user.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a block with an enclosure and attachmentassembly.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the block of FIG. 9, with breakoutsshowing composition of the block.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directedto a body alignment and correction device.

The first exemplary embodiment is comprised of a body alignment andcorrection device for use during workouts. The device provides arectangular platform 10, with a front post 11 and a rear post 12 whichunfold and telescope into position, rotate fully through a 180° arc, andmay be locked into position at any length or angle as desired. Carabinerclips 13 are provided along the sides of the platform 10. Variouselastic and other workout attachments 15 may be clipped to the carabinerclips 13, and to the upper ends of the front post 11 and rear post 12,providing resistance for the user during a workout.

An adjustable, removable claw attachment 12A on the rear post securesthe user's shoulders and upper body in the correct alignment during theworkout. A removable barbell table 14 may be secured to the platform 10,enabling the user to work out with barbells or other hand weights whilesecured in the correct posture by the claw attachment 12A. Fourretractable caster wheels 10A at the corners of the platform 10 enablethe user to easily move the device around the workout area as desired.The platform 10 is hinged in the center such that it may be folded inhalf for easy transport and storage.

A broad, padded belt 16 is provided, with hook-and-loop fasteners 21 ateither end. The belt 16 is preferably 3-4 inches wide. The layers of thebelt 16 are affixed to each other with snaps 17. The layers of the belt16 may also be fastened with other fastening devices such as zippers andhook and loop fasteners. The layers of the belt 16 may also be sewntogether with stitching. Flat bands 19, terminating in rings orcarabiner style belt clips 18, are provided on the front and rearsurfaces of the belt 16, which may be used as drawstrings to tighten andsecure the belt 16 around the user's waist, or secure the user's body tothe device.

In other embodiments the bands 19 may each terminate in a complimentarybuckle member 30 a and 30 b as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, so that the bands19 may be fastened in front of the user when worn. The bands 19 may alsoinclude adjustment buckles 35 so that the bands 19 may be adjusted inlength. In other embodiments, the buckles 35 may be used to join orconnect portions of the bands that have different characteristics, suchas elasticity. A ring 36 may also be attached near the buckle members 30a and 30 b on each band 19. The bands 19 are preferably 1.5 inches wide,and covered for two-thirds of their length with neoprene sleeves. Divotsand snaps 17 hold the neoprene sleeves together. However, in someembodiments, the bands need not be covered.

The snaps 17 enable the user to remove and replace the bands 19 if theyare broken or worn out, or if the belt 16 needs to be laundered. Thefoam blocks 20 may be positioned such that they are just above thekidneys on the back for users who are flexion intolerant. This allowsthe belt 16 to only contact the user's abdomen, not the lower back.Alternatively, the foam blocks 20 may be positioned such that they arejust above the hip bones in front for users who are extensionintolerant. This allows the belt 16 to only contact the user's lowerback, not the abdomen.

In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, the bands 19 may include anelastic portion 40. The elastic portion 40 is preferably attached to thebelt 16 at the midpoint of the belt length. The elastic portion 40 maybe secured to the belt by any means known. As shown in FIG. 6, theelastic portion 40 is secured to the midpoint of the belt 16 bystitching 45. While the entire band 19 may be made of elastic, in themost preferred embodiment the elastic portion 40 is attached to aninelastic portion 41. The elastic and inelastic portions may be attachedto one another by stitching, snaps, buckles, or any other mechanismknown to attach bands. As shown in FIG. 6, each band portion includes aloop, which is fitted through a buckle 35. In the most preferredembodiment, buckles 35 is an adjustment buckle which allows the user toadjust the overall length of the bands 19. In other embodiments, thelength of the bands 19 may be adjusted at the buckles 30 a and 30 b. Inother embodiments, buckle 35 may be omitted and the portions of thebands may be joined to each other with stitching.

As shown in FIG. 6, the belt 16 may include an additional piece ofmaterial about a portion of its length to partially conceal the bands19. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the additional piece ofmaterial 60 is approximately ¼ of the length of the belt 16, and islocated about the midpoint of the belt's length. With such a location,it is generally to the rear of the user when the belt is worn. As shownin FIG. 6, the additional piece of material 60 is fastened to the outeror front surface 32 of the belt 16 so as to form a tunnel in which aportion of the band 19, may run or reside. The outer or front surface 32of the belt is the surface that is away from the user when the belt isworn. Specifically as shown in FIG. 6, the elastic portion 40 of thebands 19 is partially covered by the additional piece of material 60. Inthe preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the upper and lower perimeteredges of the additional piece of material 60 are sewn or otherwisefastened to the front surface 32 of the belt 16. In other embodiments,the additional piece of material 60 may be omitted and the tunnelcreated between the front surface 32 and the rear surface 31 of thebelt. In other words, the bands 19 are positioned for part of theirlength, between the front surface 32 and rear surface 31 of the belt 16.

Foam blocks 20 are also provided, and affixed to the belt 16 such thatwhen the belt 16 is worn, the foam blocks 20 are located on or below theuser's kidney area. In the preferred embodiment, the dimensions of thefoam blocks 20 are approximately 2.5″ (thickness)×3″ (width)×4.5″(length). The foam blocks 20 are preferably made of at least two typesof foam to provide a firmer base of support nearer the belt 16. In themost preferred embodiment, the foam blocks 20 are constructed of a firstlayer of high density foam 22, and a second layer of lower density foam23. The high density foam 22 is preferably 0.5 inches thick, and thelower density foam 23 is approximately 2 inches thick. The high densityfoam is positioned nearer the rear surface 31 of the belt 16. Suchpositioning helps the foam block 20 maintain its shape and resistrolling or the formation about the belt 16.

The foam blocks 20 are removable in the event that the user wishes torely on the pull of the bands 19. In the most preferred embodiment, therear surface 31 of the belt 16 which is the surface that faces the userwhen the belt 16 is worn, may include hook and loop fastener 70 materialon a portion of its length to allow the foam blocks 20, or enclosures orcoverings 37 for the foam blocks, to be selectively attached at variouspositions along the belt 16. In such an embodiment, the surface of thefoam block 20 or its enclosure or covering 37 has a hook or loopfastener on the outer surface that is complimentary to the fastener onthe rear surface of the belt 16. In some embodiments, the front surface31 of the belt will include hook and loop fastener 70 material onsubstantially the entire length of the belt 16. The presence of the hookand loop fastener 70 material on substantially the entire length of thebelt 16, allows the foam blocks 20 or the enclosure 37 havingcomplementary hook and loop fastener 70 material placed on its exterior,to be positioned anywhere on the rear surface 31 of the belt 16. Withsuch positioning options, the user may easily move the foam blocks 22 tocontact the users back or abdomen as desired.

The foam blocks 20 are preferably placed in an enclosure or covering 37,as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. This prevents deterioration of the foamblocks 20 from abrasion or contact with the user's perspiration. Theenclosure or covering 37 preferably covers all sides of the blocks 20and includes a closure such as a zipper 38 to allow a block to beinserted and removed. This is of benefit if the enclosure or covering 37becomes soiled and needs laundering. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, thezipper 38 is preferably placed about the perimeter of a surface of theenclosure 37. In the most preferred embodiment, the zipper 38 is aboutthe surface of the enclosure that attaches or abuts the belt 16 when theblock is placed on the belt 16. In the most preferred embodiment, thezipper 38 ends adjacent to a block securing assembly that is used toattach and further secure the enclosure or covering 37 to the belt. Insuch an arrangement, when the zipper is closed, the zipper pull or tabis placed underneath a portion of the securing assembly so that thezipper pull is restrained and does not move about as the user exercises.

The enclosure or covering 37 preferably also includes hook or oopfasteners 70 on at least one outer surface so that it may be attached toselected locations about the rear surface of the belt 16. In thepreferred embodiment, the loop portion of the fasteners are located onthe rear surface 31 of the belt 16, and the complimentary loop portionsare on the block enclosure or covering 37.

The enclosure or covering 37 may also include a block securing assemblyto further secure the blocks 20 to the belt 16. The block securingassembly generally connects the top and bottom of a block, enclosure, orcovering 37, and is positioned so that the belt 16 is captured between astrap 52 of the assembly and a block 20 and its enclosure or covering37. The strap 52 of the preferred embodiment is a length of webbingapproximately 2 inches wide and 7 inches in length. The block securingassembly includes a slotted loop or buckle 39 attached directly, or by aweb 57, to the top of the enclosure or covering 37, and an end 51 of thestrap 52 is attached to the bottom of the enclosure or covering 37. Inthe preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the web 57 is attachedto the top surface of the enclosure 37 with two lines of stitching so asto form a tunnel into which the zipper pull may be placed when thezipper 38 is closed. The web 57 may be made of an elastic material. Insuch an event, the tunnel may be easily stretched and lifted by theuser, allowing the zipper pull to be inserted into the tunnel and heldsecure. With the enclosure or covering 37 positioned on the rear surface31 of the belt 16, the strap 52 is positioned so that it is proximate tothe front surface 32 of the belt 16, and the free end 51 of the strap 52is fed through the slotted loop 39. The strap 52 is then pulled tightand secured against itself with fasteners, such as snaps orcomplimentary hook and loop fasteners as shown in FIGS. 7, 9, and 10.

In such an embodiment, the strap 52 has an inner surface 53 and an outersurface 54. On a first portion of the outer surface 44 is attached thehook, portion 70 a of the hook and loop fasteners 70, and on a secondportion of the outer surface 54 is attached the loop portion 70 b of thehook and loop fasteners. In the preferred embodiment the portions of thestrap 52 each occupy approximately ½ of the entire length of the strap52. With this arrangement, when the strap 52 is pulled tight, the firstportion of the strap 52 is pulled through the slotted loop 39 to and isthen folded about the slotted loop 39 allowing the hook fasteners 70 aon the first portion to be secured against the loop fasteners 70 b onthe second portion of the strap 52. The free end 51 of the strap 52 isthereby positioned at or near the lower end of the block 20 or enclosureor covering 37. In the most preferred embodiment, the free end 51extends no more than a half inch below the lower end of the enclosure37. One skilled in the art will recognize that the hook and loopfasteners may be substituted for one another. However one skilled in theart will also realize that it is preferable to have the loop fasteners70 b positioned in areas that will be exposed to the user or the user'sclothing, as the hook fasteners 70 a can be rough and abrasive. Thisobservation holds true not just for the coverings or enclosures 37 butalso for the positioning of the hook and loop fasteners 70 on the belt16.

To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user may place the platform10 in the workout area, extend the front pole 11 and the rear pole 12 atany angle and to any length desired, and lock them into position. Theuser may then attach one or more workout attachments 15 to the carabinerclips 13, or the upper ends of the front pole 11 and the rear pole 12 asdesired. The user may secure the claw attachment 12A to the rear pole 12at the desired height, then secure the claw attachment 12A to theshoulders and upper body, pick up the workout attachments 15, and beingthe workout. Alternately, the user may secure the barbell table 14 tothe platform 10 and work out with barbells or other hand weights, or theuser may wear the belt 16 around the waist and secure the clawattachment 12A to the belt 16,

When finished with the workout, the user may extend the caster wheels10A and roll the platform 10 wherever desired. Alternately, the user maydetach the barbell table 14 or the workout attachments 15, and removethe claw attachment 12A. Then the user may unlock, retract, and fold thefront post 11 and the rear post 12, and fold up the platform 10 fortransport or storage,

The device is a flexion extension dominant system, which determines theenvironment wherein a particular human body will function at its highestlevel. This theory was derived from the rehabilitation concepts offlexion intolerance and extension intolerance. Flexion intolerance isposterior chain weakness, while extension intolerance is anterior chainweakness. When the intolerance is observed, the therapist can determinethe injury trail a patient may have and lifestyle influences such asemployment and sports wherein the patient would excel. This informationcould substantially impact future wear and tear on joints, direction ofan athlete in particular sports, and which employment career is bestsuited for an individual. It is also observed that this may have aninfluence on the learning styles of various people based onenvironments.

It is found that flexion intolerant people have possible damage to thespine where it is advised for them not to crunch or flex the spine.However, they need to keep their abdominal muscles stimulated by weightbehind them, such as a backpack or band, or pressure against the lowerabdominal muscles. If not stimulated, their posterior muscles will notactivate. These people tend to prefer standing more than sitting, andthey tend to lean on objects such as tables and counters for relief.These, people like to sleep on the side or the stomach. They tend tohave weak hamstrings, biceps, shoulders, upper trapezius, upper chest,lower back, and calves. The common overuse injuries are plantarfasciitis, ACL tears, bicipital tendinitis, low back injuries likeherniations, lordosis, and neck issues. Diastasis is also noted. Thesepeople tend to prefer activities where they push down, lift a knee, oruse their abdominal muscles, such as mopping floors, massage, hikinguphill, and picking up items from the floor or lower shelves. Sportsthese people excel in are sprinting, hockey, wrestling, kickboxing, andsoccer. Careers these people excel in are massage therapy, construction,flooring installation, and cleaning. These people tend to comprehendbest while looking down or writing, such as highlighting a book or usingan iPad. The belt 16 of the device is worn where it touches theabdominal muscles and not the lower back, or a band can be worn touchingthe abdominal muscles and pulling the hips backward where a flexionintolerant person must engage the posterior chain. This pull allows forthe shoulders and hamstrings to activate properly and develop. The belt16, the device, and the cardio attachments can help elicit this force toproduce proper body mechanics that traditional exercises are missing.

It is found that extension intolerant people have possible damage to thespine where it is advised for them not to hyperextend the spine or deadlift. However, they need to keep their lower back or extensor musclesstimulated by weight in front of them, such as a front pack below theneck, or by a band, or pressure against the lower back. If notstimulated, their posterior muscles will not activate. These people tendto like to sit and sleep on their sides or their backs. They tend tohave weak quadriceps, latissimus dorsi, lower chest, abdominals,gluteus, and triceps. The common overuse injuries are Achillestendinitis, Achilles rupture, meniscus tears, quadriceps tears, hippain, slipped discs, torn rotator cuffs, cervical problems, kyphosis,tennis elbow, and carpal tunnel. Hernias are also noted. These peopletend to like activities where they stand tall, extend their arms abovethe head, sit up straight, and hold weight in front of them. Sportsthese people tend to excel in are gymnastics, basketball, baseball,golf, distance running, tennis, and dance. Careers these people excel inare hairdressing, computer jobs, servers, drivers, and painters. Thesepeople tend to comprehend best while looking up or leaning back in achair or bed. They tend to do better with desktop computers. The belt 16of the device is worn where it touches the lower back and not theabdominal muscles, or a band can be worn touching the lower back andpulling the hips forward where an extension intolerant person mustengage their anterior chain. This pull allows for the latissimus dorsi,abdominals, gluteus and quadriceps to properly activate and develop. Thebelt 16, the device, and the cardio attachments can help elicit thisforce to produce proper body mechanics that traditional exercises aremissing.

The device will improve health care, injury prevention, andrehabilitation, lowering incidences of injury and speeding uprehabilitation. Work related injuries which will be reduced includelower back, knees, carpal tunnel, neck, and headaches. The device willassist in directing people into sports and careers, including militaryspecialties, that are compatible with their body type. The device mayhelp improve sexual enjoyment and fertility, indicating which positionsmay be most suitable. The device will help with exercise and obesitycontrol, since people do not like to experience pain when working out,and a pain-free workout is more likely to be completed regularly. Thedevice will help with sleep positions and the selection of vehicles,chairs, and other furniture to prevent discomfort, generally improvingcomfort and quality of life. The device will also improve cognition andlearning by informing the user regarding the best positions for reading.

The platform 10 and the barbell table 14 are preferably manufacturedfrom a rigid, durable material, such as steel, aluminum alloy, or wood.The caster wheels 10A are preferably manufactured from a rigid, durablematerial such as steel or aluminum alloy, providing solid tires whichare preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable material such asrubber or silicone. The front post 11, the rear post 12, and thecarabiner clips 13 are preferably manufactured from a rigid, durablematerial such as steel or aluminum alloy. The claw attachment 12A ispreferably manufactured from a rigid, durable material such as steel oraluminum alloy, coated with a flexible, durable material such as rubberor silicone.

The workout attachments 15 are preferably manufactured from a variety ofrigid, durable materials such as steel, aluminum alloy, plastic, andwood, and flexible, durable materials such as rubber and nylon webbing.The belt 16 is preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable materialsuch as nylon webbing. The snaps 17 and the belt clips 18 are preferablymanufactured from a rigid, durable material such as plastic or steel.The bands 19 are preferably manufactured from a flexible, durablematerial with a substantial elastic quality, such as rubber, covered fortwo-thirds of their length by sleeves which are preferably manufacturedfrom a flexible, durable material such as neoprene.

The foam blocks 20 are preferably manufactured from a semi-rigid,durable material such as foam rubber. The fasteners 21 are preferablymanufactured from a flexible, durable material such as plastic or nylon.Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable,but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materialscould be selected without altering the scope of the invention. Furtheron skilled in the art will recognize that when the application refers tofoam blocks or block, the reference can refer to foam block alone, orfoam blocks with an enclosure or covering or other assemblies to allowthe blocks to be secured on the belt 16.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables' one ofordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered tube thebest mode thereof, those or ordinary skill in the art will understandand appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, andequivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. Theinvention should, therefore, not be limited by the above describedembodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methodswithin the scope and spirit of the invention.

1. A belt for wearing about a user's body, the belt having a first endand a second end, and a front surface facing away from the user's bodyand a rear surface including hook and loop fasteners facing towards auser's body, a fastener for fastening the belt about the user's waist,and a pair of blocks positioned on the rear surface of the belt to spacea portion of the rear surface of the belt away from the user's body. 2.The belt of claim 1, wherein the blocks are enclosed in a fabriccovering.
 3. The belt of claim 2, wherein the fabric covering includesan attachment assembly including a strap to capture the belt between thefabric covering and the strap.
 4. The belt of claim 1, wherein theblocks are positioned on the rear surface of the belt so that each blockis positioned on the user's back, thereby spacing the rear surface ofthe belt away from the user's back.
 5. The belt of claim 1, wherein theblocks are positioned on the rear surface of the belt so that each blockis positioned on the user's abdomen, thereby spacing the rear surface ofthe belt away from the user's abdomen.
 6. The belt of claim 1, whereinthe front surface of the belt includes a first band and a second band,each band attached to the front surface of the belt, and each bandhaving a free end terminating in a fastener.
 7. The belt of claim 6,wherein each band is partially covered by a neoprene sleeve.
 8. The beltof claim 6, wherein the first band and second band are used drawstringsto tighten the belt about the user's waist.
 9. The belt of claim 6wherein the first and second band, have an elastic quality.
 10. The beltof claim 1, further including a first band and a second band connectedto the front surface of the belt, an additional piece of fabric attachedto the front surface of the belt, the additional piece of fabric forminga tunnel, a portion of the first and second bands being positionedwithin the tunnel.
 11. The belt of claim 1, wherein the blocks are madeof foam.
 12. The belt of claim 11, wherein the blocks include twodensities of foam, where a higher density of foam is positioned closerto the belt when the block is on the belt.
 13. The belt of claim 1wherein the blocks include hook and loop fasteners on a surface of theblock.
 14. The belt of claim 6 wherein the first and second bandsinclude an elastic portion, and an inelastic portion, the inelasticportion being secured to the rear surface of the belt by stitching. 15.The belt of claim 12 wherein the blocks are enclosed in a covering, thecovering including a hook and loop fastener on the surface of thecovering facing the belt, a strap attached to a bottom end of thecovering and a buckle attached to a top end of the covering, the strapbeing placed through the buckle and attached to itself to secure thebelt between the strap and the covering.
 17. A method of stimulating theabdominal muscles of a flexion intolerant person, including the steps ofproviding a belt placed about the flexion intolerant person's waist, thebelt including blocks to space a portion of the belt away from theuser's back when the belt is worn around the user's waist.
 18. A methodof stimulating the back muscles of an extension intolerant person,including the steps of providing a belt placed about the extensionintolerant person's waist, the belt including blocks to space a portionof the belt away from the user's abdomen when the belt is worn aroundthe user's waist.